Limits on Indoor Dining Will Continue Until March 29

According to the Detroit Free Press, many Michigan restaurant owners were surprised to learn that the current limits on indoor dining will remain in place until March 29.

Under the previous order, indoor dining reopened on Feb.1 at 25% capacity and a 10 p.m. curfew.  The order was for three weeks and was set to expire Sunday.  Indoor dining was shuttered on Nov. 18.

Apparently several restaurant owners were disappointed that Governor Gretchen Whitmer didn't make a public announcement of the indoor dining extension.

Get our free mobile app

Advocates for the hospitality industry proposed guidelines that would allow indoor dining capacity to increase or decrease based on percentages of coronavirus positivity rates.

The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association released a plan to bring back normal operations to the hospitality industry hit so hard by the pandemic.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer reiterated that she understands the restaurant industry has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic but gave no clear indication of when the state would roll back any restaurant restrictions.  (Detroit Free Press)

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in a statement to the Free Press, said it continues to make decisions based on science and data of how COVID-19 spreads.

Several Michigan restaurant owners testified before the Michigan House Oversight Committee expressing the need to reopen restaurants to 50% capacity.

Marji Cheadle owner of Dagwood's Tavern and Grill in Lansing testified before the committee.  Cheadle is also the vice president of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association.  She also said even if the businesses hit their capacity the entire time they're open, it's still a lost cause.  (Detroit Free Press)